What is box office? How to use in English

Definition & pronunciation of box office

box officenoun

phòng vé

/ˈbɒks ɒfɪs//ˈbɑːks ɑːfɪs/

Where does the word box office come from?

The term "box office" initially referred to the location inside a theater where tickets were sold and collected. In historic theaters, this was typically a small booth or kiosk with a window, known as a "ticket office," which was often mounted on a movable platform or "booth" to elevate the ticket seller's view. Over time, the two words "ticket" and "booth" became interchangeable, leading to the use of "box office" as a catch-all term for the location where movie tickets are sold. The origin of the "box" in "box office" remains unclear, with some suggesting that it refers to the small box-like structure that held the money inside the booth, while others propose that it might have been influenced by the term "hoy exhibitor," meaning "movie screen box office," which was popular in the early days of silent films in Britain. Regardless, the term "box office" has become deeply ingrained in the film industry, and is now used to describe the financial success of a movie, measured by the sales at its box office.

Example of vocabulary box officenamespace

  • "The new action movie has been breaking box office records with its thrilling scenes and charismatic lead actor."
  • "The romantic comedy flopped at the box office with only a few hundred dollars in sales on opening weekend."
  • "The horror movie topped the box office last weekend, scaring audiences with its terrifying plot and special effects."
  • "The animation film has been a massive hit at the box office, displaying both emotional and comedic moments that resonate with audiences of all ages."
  • "The indie film had a limited release, but it still managed to earn a decent amount at the box office thanks to positive reviews and word-of-mouth buzz."

Synonyms and related words for box office


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